Sherwood man dies after Clackamas River plunge

A 61-year-old Sherwood man died Monday afternoon after he jumped into the Clackamas River near High Rocks, apparently trying to reach his dog in the river, and slipped under water for several minutes.

The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said William Davies died at Willamette Falls Hospital after rescue teams from the sheriffs office, the Lake Oswego Fire Department, Clackamas Fire District No. 1 and Gladstone Fire Departments responded to the area.

A construction worker told deputies that at about 2:28 p.m. Monday, June 17, he saw a man swimming in the river toward a dog. The man quickly went below the waters surface. Sheriff and police SCUBA divers arrived and pulled the man from the water. He was taken by boat to Clackamette Park to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The dog was not hurt in the incident and made it to shore.

Deputies said Davies arrived at Willamette Falls Hospital with a pulse, but died a short time later.

The Clackamas River water temperature was 64 degrees on Monday, according to deputies.